Pioneers look to build on success in big test vs. Rams

Developing a winning football team, according to Wayland Baptist coach Butch Henderson, is all about stringing together successes. That's what Henderson's Pioneers are starting to do.

"Starting with the second half against Langston and then last week (in a 65-31 win over Texas College), the guys have done a good job in all three phases. We just need to keep focused on what we're doing and making plays, and we'll keep getting better," Henderson said.

The Pioneers (2-2, 2-1 Sooner Athletic Conference) have an excellent opportunity for a statement win this week as they host the Texas Wesleyan Rams (3-1, 2-1), ranked the equivalent of 26^th in the NAIA, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium.

"If we can continue to get better and beat somebody like Texas Wesleyan this week, it helps you make that jump that much faster," Henderson said. "We hope the guys can play to that vision we have for them as coaches."

Tickets, available at the gate, are $10 for adults and $5 for students. All WBU students and employees are admitted free with proper ID.

Be sure to catch Dan Zeigler's pregame show beginning at 1:30 p.m. followed by the free live stream at www.wbuathletics.com/watch.

Texas Wesleyan was ranked No. 18 in the NAIA after opening the season with wins over Arkansas State University Campus Queretaro (54-0), at No. 20 Arizona Christian (48-21) and Oklahoma-Panhandle State (52-0). TXWES slipped out of the poll following its lone loss two weeks ago to No. 7 Ottawa (27-22). The Rams were off last week.

"They're a very good football team," Henderson said.

While WBU is coming off an all-around solid performance against Texas College that featured a school record 65 points scored by nine different players on offense, 10 sacks and negative-79 yards allowed on defense, and three field goals from an average distance of 37.3 yards on special teams, Texas Wesleyan will bring to town a similar well-rounded team.

Henderson seemed particularly impressed with the Rams' defense.

"They scheme a little different than most people. They put a lot of pressure on you on the edge (to filter the offense inside) then do a great job behind that. And their defensive backs will hold everything inside," the coach said. "They have some very good athletes. They're well-schemed and well-coached, and they recruited to fit that scheme real well."

Offensively, the Rams are sixth in the NAIA in scoring at 44.0 points per game, fifth in rushing at 253 yards per game, and 11^th in total yards at 448 per contest.

"They run a lot of packages in and out of there, and those packages execute extremely well," Henderson noted. 

The Rams are led by redshirt junior quarterback Dalton Dale, whom Henderson called "probably one of the best dual run/pass quarterbacks in the conference. He just has a feel for where to go with the football and spreads the ball around to three of the finer receivers in the conference." AJ Bobb, PJ Williams and tight end Charlie Simmons all have eight catches through four games.

That trio will put pressure on a young WBU secondary that Henderson said "made one of the biggest jumps I've ever seen in a ballgame" last week against Texas College. "They say you don't grow unless you're tested by fire, and those guys are learning how to play against good people. We'll see as we go down the road."

On the ground, Texas Wesleyan turns to 5-foot-6 sophomore Ernest Ceasar, who averages 10.2 steps a carry and 120 yards a game and has scored five TDs. "He has great eyesight. He's not real tall but has that burst when he sees a crack," Henderson said.

Wayland was in a similar situation last season going into its game against Texas Wesleyan. The Pioneers were 2-2 on the season and 2-1 in conference only to travel to Fort Worth and take it on the chin to the Rams, 63-7. Fueled by a series of big plays, Texas Wesleyan put it away in the first quarter with 26 points en route to a 57-0 halftime lead.  

A win this week – in what will be Wayland's fourth home game over the first five weeks of the season – could set up the Pioneers for a nice run, with upcoming road games against OPSU and Louisiana Christian leading up to a bye, followed by three season-ending toughies against SAGU, No. 7 Ottawa and Arizona Christian.

"For us to compete in our conference, we have to get better every week," Henderson said. "We have to keep making plays, control the ball on offense and keep growing up defensively."